| abstract |
4-hydroxymethyl-1,8-octane diols of formula (I) are new. Also claimed are (i) prodn. of (I); and (ii) polyurethanes, formed from diisocyanates and polyols and opt. diamines, contg. gp. of formula (I) as polyol gp. (I) are produced by hydrogenating one or more tricarboxy cpds. of formula (II), where R = H or 1-20C alkyl. The cpds. of formula (II) are hydrognated using heterogeneous, metal-contg. catalysts, pref. contg. 40 wt. % Co and 0.1-10 wt. % Mn, 0.1-20 wt. % phosphoric acid, and 0.01-1 wt. % Na, at 150-350 deg.C and pressure of 50-350 bar. USE/ADVANTAGE - Used to make polyurethane foams. It has improved material properties. |